Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. The 48% approval rate for Robert P. Kingsley reflects his decisions on record since 2016, which you can measure against the 30% to 78% range observed among other judges at the same office during the same period. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges approach their dockets. These aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kingsley. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kingsley's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The record for Robert P. Kingsley covers 159 decisions between January 2016 and September 2016. During this window, the approval rate was 48%. Because this data represents a specific, limited timeframe, it provides a snapshot of the judge's activity during that period. This pattern helps establish a baseline for understanding how evidence and case details were historically evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kingsley's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Tacoma WA hearing office
The most recent SSA record for Robert P. Kingsley is at the Tacoma WA hearing office, with activity dated through September 2016. This office serves you and other claimants throughout the region and is part of a broader network of hearing offices in Washington. The bench at this location includes 17 judges with varying approval rates on record since 2016. You can see the Tacoma WA Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tacoma WA
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tacoma WA office, with approval rates ranging from 30% to 78% since 2016. While these variations exist across the bench, the fundamental process of presenting a strong, evidence-based case remains the same. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Robert P. Kingsley has an approval rate of 48% based on 159 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 30% to 78% range of approval rates for the 17 judges whose most recent office on record is the Tacoma WA office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of which judge is assigned.
The data for Robert P. Kingsley covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which the approval rate was 48%. Because this record is limited to that specific window, it reflects a consistent pattern for that time. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with current hearing standards.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot influence the assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you prepare your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You may be asked questions about your daily limitations and work history. Working with an attorney can help you feel more prepared to answer these questions clearly and accurately.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical documentation is the most important factor in a favorable decision. An attorney can help you review your case to ensure your evidence is as strong as possible.
